Naperville council says no to DuPage River Trail extension

August 17, 2003|By Jennifer Taylor, Special to the Tribune.

Concerned that cyclists and hikers would be too close to busy Washington Street, the Naperville City Council has voted down a proposed route for an extension of the DuPage River Trail and urged staff to come up with an alternative route.

Council members also criticized the bike path plan because it was too invasive to some residents' properties and required removing mature trees. Some councilmen also questioned why staff didn't explore another route suggested by the council.

"I have a problem with this thing from start to finish," said Councilman Richard Furstenau. "We can keep sending this back and sending this back until we come up with something reasonable."

The proposed extension is the fourth of five segments of the DuPage River Trail. The path is designed to follow the river and will connect to other regional trails. The first three segments of the 9-mile path are complete and the first leg of the path, between Burr Oak Park and Hobson Road, is open.

Furstenau and Councilman James Boyajian asked staff to review an option with a bridge at 87th.